THE GOSPEL OF SWADESHI 121

specially so in the case of Hinduism. But here comes
the point I am labouring to reach. If there is any
substance in what I have said, will not the great mis-
sionary bodies of India, to whom she owes a deep debt
of gratitude for what they have done and are doing,
do still better and serve the spirit of Christianity better
by dropping the goal of proselytizing while continuing
their philanthropic work?

Following out the Swadeshi spirit, I observe the
indigenous institutions, and the village Panchayats
hold me. India is really a republican country, &nd it is
because it is that, that it has survived every shock
hitherto delivered. Princes and potentates, whether they
were Indian born or foreigners, have hardly touched the
vast masses except for collecting revenue. The latter
in their turn seem to have rendered unto Caesar what
was Caesar's and for the rest have done much as they
have liked. The vast organization of caste answered not
only to the religious wants of the community but it
answered to its political needs. The villagers managed
their internal affairs through the caste system and
through it they dealt with any oppression from the
ruling power or powers. It is not possible to deny the
organizing ability of a nation that was capable of
producing from the caste system its wonderful power of
organization. One has but to attend the great Kumbha
Mela at Hardwar ... to know how skilful that
organization must have been which, without any seeming
effort, was able effectively to cater for more than a
million pilgrims. Yet it is the fashion to say that we
lack organizing ability. This is true, I fear, to a certain
extent, of those who have been nurtured in the new
traditions.